Amp Advice

[richardjmorgan]

Hello everyone – first post and all that. I'm looking for a bit of advice on amplifiers.

I play in a band that is either hardcore or metal, depending on which members of the band you ask – listen to us at www.myspace.com/thequarrymusic if you're so inclined, to give you an idea of the sort of thing we play – and I'm currently using a 2000 Gibson V with EMG81/85 pickups (potentially heresy on this forum, I know, but bear with me) through 100W Marshall JCM900 head. Now, while the Marshall sounds very tasty for more 'rock' stuff, and also things towards the more hardcore end of our spectrum, our music's moving in a slightly more technical direction, and I'm starting to find it to not be quite tight and punchy enough for more 'twiddly' bits, for want of a better word. So here are my options, as I see them. Any suggestions as to what is most likely to be successful, or any alternatives, will be gratefully received.

a) Get an EQ and/or distortion pedal and use it to push the 900 into the more full-on metal tonal territory I'm aiming for.

b) Get the 900 modded.

c) Get a Mesa

d) Get a 5150

e) Get something else (Diezel? Krank? ENGL?)

[AdamB]

For what you're playing mate, you can't really go wrong with a 5150, Rectifier, Diezel or ENGL.

The 5150 is the cheapest option and a very good one, i had a 5150 II for years and loved it

Diezel is probably a bit over kill as it will break the bank, although they are amazing!

My mate Ash (from Keeping Scores) had one of your guys t shirts on when we were in Florida the other week! I also see your 'friends' with Chief, they're good mates of mine too

I play guitar in The Lockout, if that means anything

EDIT: Also just realised you know Treat, haha! Saying that, who doesn't

[ailean]

I'd be looking at a pedal first to see if that gets you what you need. No point in buying an amp if you don't need to.

Did I just say that? Nah.. buy all of them and decide which ones to keep.

[richardjmorgan]

For what you're playing mate, you can't really go wrong with a 5150, Rectifier, Diezel or ENGL.

The 5150 is the cheapest option and a very good one, i had a 5150 II for years and loved it

Diezel is probably a bit over kill as it will break the bank, although they are amazing!

Yeah, I've heard impressive things about Diezel, although the price would likely be a problem. Scott from Cancer Bats has been using one (although I'm not sure what model) the last couple of times I've seen them and it sounded IMMENSE.

I've been leaning towards a 5150/6505 lately, but thought I'd check out any alternatives before I go diving in. What exactly do you get with the mkII/6505+ that the standard model doesn't do?

EDIT: Also just realised you know Treat, haha! Saying that, who doesn't

Know him? I live with the bugger!

I'm a little wary of going down the pedal path, as I've always just gone with the distortion on offer from my amp, so don't really know what I'm doing, but what sort of pedals would give me the sort of sound I'm looking for?

[AdamB]

With the mark II, you get a seperate EQ with each channel and a bit more mid range, bit less fuzzy too. Worth the extra money in my opinion

[richardjmorgan]

With the mark II, you get a seperate EQ with each channel and a bit more mid range, bit less fuzzy too. Worth the extra money in my opinion

Aha – I like the sound of that. Lack of separate EQs for the different channels was something I always found a bit annoying about my Marshall.

[ailean]

I'm not a pedal expert (I'm not an anything expert), but I own a Blackstar HT Dual, which has 2 channels, the high gain one is pretty high. It does stamp it's tone down pretty hard, but if you like that tone then it's cool. It's a nice tight tube distortion.

I'd also take a look at the zvex range, we have a Fuzz Factory which is great (not what you want I'm sure).

I want a Diezle VH4, never likely to get one, but I want one :)

[AdamB]

Just realised, you're '$%&# the kids' off punktastic. I'm 'adammato' off there too. We've had a few disagreement like, but it's much better on here believe me. Quality control and that

[richardjmorgan]

Just realised, you're '$%&# the kids' off punktastic. I'm 'adammato' off there too. We've had a few disagreement like, but it's much better on here believe me. Quality control and that

Aye, I think we had some sort of accidental disagreement over tone pots on active pickups or something daft. Much as I enjoy the guitar thread on there, I decided I needed some more informed discussion.

[Lazy_McDoesnothing]

I have a JCM 900 and I really liked the sound I got out of it with an overdrive in front boosting the signal.  I say "liked" because I had a bit of an accident with the amp and it stopped working.   Anyway, I'd say try your amp with a Tubescreamer type overdrive in front of your amp with the drive low to boost and tighten it up.  Something like a Maxon 808, TS7, or TS9 should do the trick.  If it still doesn't do what you want you could do what others have suggested.  Good luck!

[hamfist]

Richard,
  I think you will struggle to get a pedal to tighten up an amp which is not inherently tight in itself.

The whole Jcm900 and 2000 series are not considered to be TIGHT high gain amps, but to be a little bit loose, which is of course good in its own way, as it flatters a less than exact technique.  Boosting the front end with a pedal will give you more gain, but I am sure that is not what you are looking for.
  You need an amp design that inherently gives a more precise and accurate note attack. It also needs good damping and a low(ish) noise floor. I don't think you'll get this from a 900, unless you mod it until it is basically a different amp. THese things are attained through various different design parameters in the amp.

Sorry, but I really don't think Mesa's or the 5150 (6505) is what you are looking for either. Either of these can give you a wall of brewtal distortion, but not the accurate, tight sound that I think you are looking for.

  I stilll confess to not being a high gain expert, but I do know that many of the Diezel, Engl and  VHT designs would fulfil what you are looking for.

[shaman]

Richard,

Sorry, but I really don't think Mesa's or the 5150 (6505) is what you are looking for either. Either of these can give you a wall of brewtal distortion, but not the accurate, tight sound that I think you are looking for.

-if you are looking into a Mesa that is tight, you would need to look into the Mark series amps-a Mark Iv Boogie is close to the heralded Mark IIC+ amps-John Petrucci is a famous user-totally different voice than the Rectum-Fryers!!(PS look for the new MArk V in January!!)

[HTH AMPS]

Engl amps are known to be both high gain and precise/cutting - you can't go wrong with them imo for technical high gain tones.

I've had a 5150 mkII and while I loved it, I wouldn't use one for widdly-widdly stuff - more of a riff amp imo, it's very 'chunky' and quite dark.

[hamfist]

Richard,

Sorry, but I really don't think Mesa's or the 5150 (6505) is what you are looking for either. Either of these can give you a wall of brewtal distortion, but not the accurate, tight sound that I think you are looking for.

-if you are looking into a Mesa that is tight, you would need to look into the Mark series amps-a Mark Iv Boogie is close to the heralded Mark IIC+ amps-John Petrucci is a famous user-totally different voice than the Rectum-Fryers!!(PS look for the new MArk V in January!!)

Yeah, I was thinking of the Rectifier-based amps really. I don't know that much about the Mk series amps to be honest.

[shaman]

i really prefer them , not only because of the gain structure, but the cleans are incredible....look for the Mark V coming soon-it will be based on the vintage C+ amps -been very hush-hush so far-will keep everyone posted!